Swift 009.c explained

Swift 009.c
Category:CART
Constructor:Swift Engineering
Designer:David Bruns
Predecessor:Swift 008.a
Successor:Swift 010.c
Team:Newman-Haas Racing
Della Penna Motorsports
Drivers: Michael Andretti
Christian Fittipaldi
Roberto Moreno
Richie Hearn
Chassis:carbon fiber monocoque
Engine Name:Ford-XD
Capacity:26501NaN1
Configuration:V8
Turbo/Na:Turbo
Weight:15001NaN1
Fuel:Methanol
Tyres:Goodyear Eagle
Firestone Firehawk
Debut:1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami
First Win:1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami
Last Win:1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami
Last Event:1998 Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota
Races:19
Wins:1
Podiums:7
Poles:1
Fastest Laps:0
Titles:0
Cons Champ:2nd
Drivers Champ:7th

The Swift 009.c was the second CART chassis designed and built by Swift Engineering. Newman-Haas Racing and Della Penna Motorsports entered the chassis during the 1998 CART season.

History

After a successful campaign in 1997, in which the Swift 007.i, won the season opener, successor for the car was designed for 1998. The car was designed by David Bruns in cooperation with Haas CNC. Swift Engineering planned to build six chassis each billing around $425,000.[1]

The Swift 009.c made a stunning debut with Michael Andretti winning the season opener and Christian Fittipaldi finishing fourth. All four entered Swift chassis finished the race. The American built chassis proved to be fast when Andretti also noted the fastest time in the Goodyear tire test at Gateway International Raceway.[2] Andretti finished second in the race at the St. Louis circuit. The best result for Fittipaldi were two third places at Road America and Surfers Paradise. The Brazilian had a heavy crash in opening practice at the Milwaukee Mile. Fittipaldi was knocked unconscious but had no serious injuries despite his chassis being split in half. For the race Fittipaldi was replaced by Team Penske test driver Roberto Moreno.

A third Swift 009.c chassis was entered by Della Penna Motorsports for Richie Hearn. Hearn's best result was a fifth place finish at Michigan International Speedway. Hearn beat both Newman-Haas Racing entries.

Swift secured the second place in the constructors championship. Second to only the dominant Reynard 98i chassis.

Complete CART results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position) (results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamEngineTyresDriversNo.12345678910111213141516171819Points
1998Newman-Haas RacingFord XD V8tROA
Michael Andretti61*142118*52*26101722621152102820181127th
Christian Fittipaldi1142526112111DNS172611162513314927375614th
Roberto Moreno24031st
Della Penna MotorsportsFord XD V8t Richie Hearn10132723107286231018752413161191884716th

Notes and References

  1. Swift Engineering Uses Science to Go Faster. Haas CNC Magazine. 2. 5. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160417121234/http://www.haascnc.com/magazine_article.asp?VolumeNo=2&IssueNo=5&ArticleID=66. 2016-04-17.
  2. Web site: Andretti Quickest in Final Day of St. Louis Tire Test . CART . 5 April 2016 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/19980504065316/http://www.cart.com/news/04-98/041798n3.htm . May 4, 1998 .